Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simone has emerged as a surprise candidate to take over at Everton

Following the sacking of Roberto Martinez, a host of names have been linked with the managerial position at Everton and it is believed that the Toffees are keen on securing the services of Ronald Koeman.

Koeman has entered the final year of his contract at Southampton and while the Saints are desperately looking to hold onto the Dutchman, Everton are said to be planning to lure him to Goodison Park by offering a whopping £6 million-per year deal.

It remains to be seen whether Koeman will look to make a switch to Everton, given that it would represent more of a sideways move for the 53-year-old and as a result, the Toffees’ hierarchy are said to be studying other options as well.

Now according to reports, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has emerged as the shock candidate for the Everton job. Simeone is arguably one of the best managers in the world at the moment and recently guided Atletico Madrid to another Champions League final.

However, after Atletico excruciatingly lost on penalties to rivals Real, Simone had admitted that he could leave the Vicente Calderon over the summer.

Simeone had said, “Losing two finals is a failure. I am thinking that I have to start thinking. It’s a logical question for you to ask after a defeat like the one we’ve suffered today.

“We had the chance to become champions, we didn’t take that chance. We need to continue working, I have to think things out on my part – that’s what I’m doing now. What is clear to me is that nobody remembers the losers. We have to get over this and heal our wounds.”

Now according to reports emerging out of England, it has been claimed that Everton are closely monitoring Simone’s situation at Madrid and are hopeful of luring the Argentinean to Goodison Park with a bumper contract which billionaire owner Farhad Moshiri is believed to be ready to facilitate.